ELON — John Silas, a linebacker considered to be one of the most promising freshmen on Elon University’s football team, will miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.

Coach Jason Swepson said Silas will have surgery in the coming days and faces a 10-month recovery process. It won’t be the first shoulder operation for Silas. He had a similar surgery in high school.

Silas will receive a medical redshirt this season and have four years of playing eligibility remaining.

He appeared in both of Elon’s games this season, making two tackles at North Carolina before suffering the injury on special teams last week in the second half against North Carolina Central.

“He got some playing time, some valuable experience,” Swepson said. “So when he comes back next year, at least he’ll have that game experience.”

Silas, of Powder Springs, Ga., verbally committed to Chattanooga as a high school senior, but opted for Elon in February on national signing day. And he stuck with the Phoenix despite a last-minute offer from Maryland.

He has been Elon’s second-stringer at middle linebacker behind Jonathan Spain.

“We had every intention of playing him 30 snaps a game to give Spain some breathers,” Swepson said.

Thonda Taylor, a redshirt senior whose improvement has impressed Elon’s coaches, is in line for more playing time during Silas’ absence.